Final answer:
To calculate the future buying power of $20,000 given a 6% inflation rate over 16 years, use the formula FV = PV / (1 + i)^n, which indicates the purchasing power will decrease over time, affecting retirement planning.
Step-by-step explanation:
Understanding the Impact of Inflation on Future Buying Power
To determine how much buying power $20,000 will have in 16 years given an annual inflation rate of 6%, we need to calculate the future rise in price level over the said time period. The formula to calculate the decrease in purchasing power due to inflation is:
FV = PV / (1 + i)^n
Where:
FV is the future value of money after inflation
PV is the present value of money (the $20,000)
i is the inflation rate
n is the number of years
Using the formula, the buying power of $20,000 in today's dollars, given a 6% inflation rate over 16 years, is calculated as follows:
FV = $20,000 / (1 + 0.06)^16
By computing this, we can see that the future buying power will be significantly lower than the nominal value of $20,000. Hence, if Rosalie the Retiree receives $20,000 after 16 years, it will be worth less in terms of today's purchasing power, influencing her retirement planning decisions.